Best Value, The Background

The Labour Government introduced Best Value in 1997 as a replacement for the Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) process. Best Value is a more holistic approach to performance improvement than that offered by CCT. Best Value does not deter authorities from going down the CCT route, if it seems the most appropriate option.

 

Best Value requires authorities to consider how they can improve their services by taking on board the feedback they get from both customers and staff. It also requires consideration to be given to innovative methods of service delivery.

 

In essence, Best Value is the continuous search by an organisation to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of all its activities for the benefit of the local and wider community. The output of the Best Value process is that the local ratepayer receives better quality services at a reasonable cost.

 

Best Value is designed to promote local accountability and transparency and continuous improvement in service delivery.

 

The Government has stated that:

".............authorities subject to the duty of Best Value will be expected to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the quality and cost of services properly reflect what local people want and can afford; that the efficiency and quality of services continually improve over time, and in setting targets for service improvement they aspire to reach the standards of the best."
(DETR, Best Value Update, September 1998)

 

Best Value is one of the most important changes to be introduced into local government circles. Organisations therefore need to, both on an individual and collective basis, take a pro-active and corporate approach to the delivery of Best Value services.